Mark. E. Ruquet

• Agents Must Develop Sales Teams to Grow, but Who to Hire?

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 23, 2013

  To grow and improve revenue, producers cannot depend on renewals and price changes in the insurance marketplace, but rather must proactively recruit the best sales force and pursue business, the president of agency-consulting firm Marsh, Berry & Co. Inc. says.

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  Aon: 44% of Nations Have Identifiable Terrorism Risk

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 17, 2013

  The risk of terrorism is having an increasing impact on global organizations. See which nations have improving and worsening outlooks for terrorism risk.

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  Allstate Seeks Independent Agents to Sell Branded Products

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 16, 2013

  Faced with attrition in its captive agencies, and a declining number of policies-in-force, Allstate Corp. is turning to a surprising distribution source to drive its brand: independent agents.

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  AccuWeather Predicts Three Land-Falling Hurricanes for 2013 Season

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 15, 2013

  As the June 1 Atlantic Hurricane season approaches, AccuWeather.com echoes earlier predictions by saying Atlantic basin residents can expect an active hurricane season.

• PIA Survey: Northeast Property Rates Up; Underwriting Changes Significant

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 14, 2013

  A survey of independent agents representing four states in the Northeast says the combination of escalating rates and stricter underwriting forced 93 percent to increase their remarketing efforts over last year.

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  AAMGA No More: Association Expands Membership, Changes Name

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 14, 2013

  The American Association of Managing General Agents says it plans to open membership to the entire wholesale insurance community and is changing the association's name for the fourth time in its history.

• MBIA and BofA: Justice for All?

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 13, 2013

  It’s one of the peculiar realities of business: two parties can spend years aiming for one another’s jugular vein and end-up partnering when they find cooperation is in the best interest.

• New Jersey to Adopt Homeowners Policy Summary Sheet

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 13, 2013

  In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, insurers in New Jersey will be required to add a summary sheet to homeowners policies issued to consumers.

• MBIA Chief Talks Q1 Results with 'Newly Refreshed Level of Enthusiasm'

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 10, 2013

  In its first earnings conference call since ending litigation with banks over the insuring of structured financial instruments this week, MBIA Inc. executives breathed a huge sigh of relief and spoke about a reinvigorated future for the guarantee insurer.

• Rating Agencies Call MBIA Settlement Positive

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 9, 2013

  Just when it looked like bond insurer MBIA was on the ropes it came through with a settlement that is getting the thumbs up from industry observers.

• Aon: April 2013 Insured Storm Losses Half 2012; Tornadoes Down

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 9, 2013

  This year’s April storm losses were significantly lighter than the past two years when record number of tornadoes touched down in the U.S. causing billions of dollars in damage, according to Aon Benfield.

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  CFA's Hunter, I.I.I.'s Hartwig Spar on Need for TRIA Renewal

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 8, 2013

  In the latest war of words over the future of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, the president of the Insurance Information Institute accuses the Consumer Federation of America of being anti-consumer for its opposition to an extension.

• Nationwide Net Income Off 5% on Claims & Expenses

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 7, 2013

  Claims and expenses took a bite out of Nationwide’s first-quarter earnings as the mutual insurance company says net income was down by 5 percent over the same period last year.

• MarketScout: Berkshire Hiring of AIG Execs Could Upset Rate Increases

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 6, 2013

  The CEO of MarketScout says Berkshire Hathaway’s hiring of four seasoned executives away from American International Group could disrupt commercial market rate increases should the company decide to enter the primary marketplace to expand its market share.

• Berkshire Hathaway Income Up 49%; Insurance Earnings Strong

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 6, 2013

  Berkshire Hathaway says its first-quarter net income rose 49 percent on the strong performance of its insurance businesses, and the company says it has the capacity and desire to write more business.

• Liberty Mutual Q1 Net Income Drops 31%

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 3, 2013

  Liberty Mutual reports first-quarter net income fell 31 percent, impacted by the devaluation of Venezuela’s currency and premium declines primarily in workers’ compensation.